An old family friend, George Symons has passed away.  In many ways Geroge was like a grand father and his entire family was a big part of my family.

Many folks back in Estevan believe I am related to the Symons Family.  We're not, at least not by blood.  In fact some of the best family are the ones you choose.

I got to know George and family when my mother went to work for them running their grocery wholesale business back in the 80's.  George's family welcomed us into theirs  after my brother's untimely death.   From there we'd always go to George's wonderful home for Fathers day, Christmas holidays and more.

Lots of great memories.

So with sadness I am reprinting a note from the Estevan Mercury:

Estevan is saying goodbye to one of its post-war business pioneers this week.

George Alan Symons died on Saturday, June 30, one week before he was to mark his 86th birthday.

Symons, acknowledged as one of Estevan's staunchest supporters and business idea proponents, returned from his wartime duties overseas with the South Saskatchewan Regiment and immediately launched into a bakery and grocery store business in the 1200 block of Fourth Street.

George and his wife Dorothy, a British war bride, combined their many talents to launch this first business which they continued to operate in the central business district until they opened the Thieves' Kitchen on Souris Avenue in 1958 which was a downstairs eatery and coffee shop with a main floor bakery.

"He continued with that enterprise until the Beefeater Inn came about in 1973," said son Vern, in recalling his parents' business ventures.

"The Beefeater started as a 40 room hotel with the first indoor swimming pool in Saskatchewan," he said.

More rooms were added with an expansion within a year and a licensed premise known as the Drunken Duck was added. Another licensed lounge followed a few years later while the Drunken Duck was later changed into two major meeting and conference rooms.

By 1976 the Sussex Arms apartment complex was completed in the same business area and the first half of Petticoat Lane, an arm of the Beefeater Inn, was added. The other half came soon after.

"By around 1983 Dad had the Beefeater Plaza (business and convention centre) built along with a strip mall," said his son. Again, the business enterprises were located close to the already established hospitality businesses and apartments.

During this period there was also a foray into a service station and confectionery store and wholesale food business.

The family patriarch continued to oversee the entire operation which was by then fully involving many members of the immediate and extended family and he often referred to the many enterprises as the "Beefeater Family."

He suffered a first stroke in 1996 and began a slow process that led to semi-retirement before taking up residency in a long-term care facility in Estevan in recent years.

The famly-operated Beefeater Inn has since taken on a Days Inn franchise designation.

Symons is survived by wife Dorothy and son Vern (Lenora) of Estevan; daughters Beverly (David) Girling, Victoria, B.C.; Melodye (Bert) Pierson, Estevan; Jan (Doug) Blue, Estevan; daughter-in-law Janet, Estevan; along with 13 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, counsins and friends. Symons was predeceased by his parents Hiram and Laura; son, Marvin and brothers Vernon, Howard and Caleb.

While Josie and I were in Estevan on our recent visit, we tried to stay for the funeral as we knew George was on his final days.  True to form, Geroge kept hanging on and we had to get on our way.

George and family are definitely people that have helped make me who I am.

Good bye George.